The Mickey Hart Band announces their first tour of 2013 with special guests, The African Showboyz from Ghana. The African Showboyz are four brothers from the northern part of Ghana who fuse a unique blend of West African rhythm, dance, and raw energy. Originally discovered by Grammy-winning virtuoso, Babatunde Olatunji, the African Showboyz have shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, Fema Kuti, Arrested Development, and many others.

Last month in California, The African Showboyz joined the Mickey Hart Band on their final three shows of 2012. They received such an overwhelming response, that Hart decided to bring them out on tour this February.Â The African Showboyz will open each show and join the Mickey Hart Band throughout the night, transforming the Mickey Hart Band into a 12 piece ensemble with a total of 7 percussionists and 7 vocalists. Tickets are currently on sale at http://www.mickeyhart.net/shows.Â 100% of the ticketing fees sold through Mickeyhart.net will go to fund Musical Therapy Research at UCSF.

The Mickey Hart Band is also giving free downloads on their site from the recent Fillmore show featuring special guests Bob Weir and the African Showboyz.Â To download these songs and more, go to http://www.mickeyhart.net/download.